Metallic car diaphragm



Oct. 8, 1940. M. SEEL METALLIC CAR DIAPHRAGM Filed Marbh 13, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheei l INVENTOR: Max ,5881/ ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES: @z M Q/ Oct. 8, 1940. M. SEEL METALLIC CAR DIAPHRAGM Filed March 13, 1940 4-Sheets-Sheet 2 Al/Illlil It vlllutllllilinlulilll INVENTOR: Max 555 ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES:

Oct. 8, 1940. M. SEEL METALLIC CAR DIAPHRAGM Filed March 13, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR: Maxfiel 02ml W ATTORNEYS.

.Oct. 8, 1940. M. SEEL METALLIC CAR DIAPHRAGM 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 13 I N VEN TOR:

ATTORNEYS.

W1 TNESSES:

Patented Oct. 8, 1940 UNITED STATES- PATENT orrice Max seel, Lamdowne, Pa., aaslgnor to The Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 13, 1940, Serial No. 323,687

9 Claims. (01. 105-17) This invention has reference in its broader aspects to vestibule construction for railway cars and, more particularly to the species forming the subject-matter of a companion application for a patent, filed concurrently herewith under Serial Number 323,686, said species being primarily devised for connecting the adjoining ends of nonarticulated cars. Vestibule construction of the referred to species briefly comprisesnsliding foot and ceiling plates, collapsible walls or'metallic side diaphragms, and flanking relatively spaced blinds or flexible diaphragms.

The present invention has reference to the collapsible or metallic side diaphragms with the fundamental object of providing a novel structure comprising relatively spaced hinged components with an intervening floating componentor plate, said floating plate having capacity for sliding coaction with the hinged components to allow the associated cars to round curves, pass switches and turnouts, as well as change elevation when the cars move over uneven rails, sway or are relatively influenced by spring deflections.

Another object is to provide a side diaphragm structure as above indicated including means coactive with the sliding foot and sealing plates to ensure a closed passageway substantially sealed against the ingress of surrounding exterior atmospheric conditions, as well as trackway dirt, cinders and so forth.

A further object is the provision of a metallic car diaphragm structure for railway car vestibules in which said diaphragms are automatically maintained in parallel under all normal service conditions with resultant provision of a nonvariable or clear passageway between connected cars at all times.

Other objects and ancillary advantages of this invention will hereinafter appear, or be specifically noted, as the nature thereof is more fully explained, said invention consisting substantially in certain novel features of construction, the combinations and correlations of parts hereinafter disclosed and typically illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein corresponding reference characters are used to designate similar parts throughout the several views; while the concluding claims more particularly define the features of novelty.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary plan section of adjoining railway .car ends including vestibule side diaphragms in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a broken vertical section on the plane II-Ii of Fig. 1, only the upper and lower portions being shown and drawn to a larger scale for a clearer showing of the details.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the plane I1IIII in Fig. 2, but drawn to a further enlarged scale for easier understanding.

Fig. 4 is a similar scale section on the plane IV-IV of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a broken vertical section on the plane V--V in Fig. 1, but drawn to larger scale.

v Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the planes VI-VI in Figs. 1 and 5, also drawn to an increased scale for clearer illustration of structural details; and,

Fig. '7 is a similar scale vertical section on the planes VII-VII in Figs. 1 and 5.

In the following detailed explanation of the constructive embodiment of this invention, illustrated by the accompanying four sheets of drawings, specific terms will be employed for the sake of clarity, but it is to be understood that such terms are used in a descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Each specific term is intended to include all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish an analogous purpose.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the adjoining ends of non-articulated cars are comprehensively designated by the reference characters I, I, said ends each including a bumper sill 2, a stationary foot-plate 3, bulb or irregular section vestibule posts 4, car end corner posts 5, and intermediate vestibule platform posts 6, with an associated sliding foot-plate 1 under control of spaced pantographs 8, as well as similarly mounted supporting and ceiling plates 9, Hi.

All of the items above referred to form no part of the instant invention, which has reference to the vestibule side walls or 'metallic diaphragms comprehensively designated l I.

These diaphragms ll each comprise complemental hinged pocket components I! with an intervening floating component or plate l3, and,

in view of the fact they are alike, or right and left-hand items, the following description will be restricted to the construction of one only; reference being had more particularly to Figs. 2-7. From these views it will be seen that each pocket component I! includes a stationary hinge member l4 extending somewhat near the full height of the diaphragm i l, and conveniently attached as by securing means iii to the vestibule posts 4 and also including spaced alignedly-bored supporting sections it, between which are pivoted, by a fulcrum-pin II, the loop portions it of a longitudinally retroverted or U-shaped cross-section hinge member l9. Permanently secured in the hinge member I9, as by edge seam welds 20, is the unitary pocket component -I 2, preferably of sufliciently stout sheet metal appropriately fabricated to define spaced paralleling walls 2| with an inner connecting wall 22 for abutment firmly against the relatively indented curvatures 23 merging into the loop portions I8 above referred to. Along the vertical free edges of the pocket walls 2| are rigidly attached, as by machine screws 24, inner reinforcing bars 25 and holder bars or guides 26, preferably of the cross-section best understood from Fig. 3, that is to say each guide 26 embodies an attaching flange 21 with a flanking channel-section 28 having the flanges confrontingly angled at 29 for engagement in corresponding grooves lengthwise of the parallel sides of anti-rattle felt elements 30, with the opposing faces 3| convexed for snug coaction against the respectively associated faces of the floating plate I3. This plate I3 is preferably formed of ply-metal sheet, or material embodying a wood body 32 with comparatively thin sheet metal facings 33; and said plate I3 has securely attached or cemented to the vertical edges felt buffer-elements 34 functional to deaden the impacts with the pocket structure inner walls 22. In addition, the floating plate I3 is fitted at predetermined locations with upper and lower opposing spacer blocks or movement limiting stops 25, conveniently fixed in place by countersunk screws 36, said blocks serving to prevent the floating plate canting too much from the vertical when the car ends I, I are relatively misaligned, as when rounding curves in the railroad over which they may be traveling; in addition to preventing the plate |3 from being outwardly drawn beyond the bars 25 and holder 26, in an obvious manner.

In order to support the floating plate I3, horizontally disposed bar members 31 are rigidly united by welds 38, preferably to the inside face of the inner parallel wall 2| and at right angles thereto as readily understandable from Fig. 6, said bar member 31 affording slidable guidance for angle sections 39, with their longer flanges 40 vertical and of corresponding thickness to that of the floating plate wood body 32, so as to be insertable between the lower portions of the facing sheets 33 with their upper edges abutting the lower edge of such Wood body. It is also to be noted the width of the bar members 31 may be slightly greater than the thickness of the floating plate, so as to outwardly flex a rubber wiper 4|, applied along the entire width of the floating plate lower portion, and which is attached thereto by machine screws 42 engaged through a clamp strap or bar 43, with an intervening felt strip 44, said screws 42 also threadedly engaging into the vertical flange 49 and facings 33; while a suitable filler member 45 of hard felt is, preferably, cemented along the lower inner facing 33, in abutment with the angle section 39, said flller having its upper edge rounded at 46 to give a neat finish.

In spaced relation with the lower edges of the hinge component outer paralleling walls 2|, and secured to the inner faces thereof by seam welds 41, are metal reinforces 48; and outwardly of said walls 2| are applied rubber wipers 49, said wipers being attached in position by clamping strips 50 and spaced machine screws 5| threadedly engaged therethrough, as well as into the reinforces 48, seen to best advantage in Fig. 6. The wipers 49, it will be remarked, substantially and spacedly overlap the floating plate wiper 4| inwardly,

while they extend outwardly into lapping engagement with the stationary hinge members I4. Thus it will be understood that substantially sealed junctures are provided between the vestibule stationary and sliding foot plates 3, 1, respectively; while the rubber wipers 4| 49 also have their lower edges appropriately contoured to facilitate the attainment of such sealing junctures, as readily understood by examination of the lower parts of Figs. 2 and 5 more particularly. It will likewise be clear and understood from Fig. 7, that the holder bars or guides 26 are vertically cut away at 52 to accommodate free sliding movement laterally to the right or left-hand of the floating plate I3, relative to the hinged pocket component parallel walls 2| and associated wiper 4|, as well as to provide clearance for the parts 44, 45 of said plate.

Along the upper outer face of the sliding plate I3 is secured by seam welds 53 a reinforcing strip 54, and to the inner opposing face is clamped, by a strap 55 and machine screws 56, a rubber wiper 51, the upper edge whereof engages the slidable ceiling plate I0 and is comformably contoured thereto, as explained in connection with the lower wiper 4| and for similar reasons. It is to be remarked the clamp strap 55 has its lower edge inwardly turned at 58to give a degree of rigidity thereto and which also materially assists in flrmly securing the wiper 51 against downward sag.

The upper parts of the diaphragm pocket wall components 2| have reinforces 59 secured horizontally thereof by welds 60, while vertical wipers 6| are clamped thereto by straps 62 and machine screws 63, as set forth in connection with the lower wipers 49, and said wipers 6| are also suitably edge contoured for coaction with the car ceiling sheets 64 as well as the slidable ceiling plate H), see Fig. 5 to best advantage.

From the foregoing it will be readily understood by those acquainted with the art that railway car vestibule diaphragms constructed as hereinbefore disclosed, will positively ensure a clear passageway from one car to an adjoining car without any lateral departure from true parallelism between said diaphragms. In addition, the operation and relative actions of the several components of the diaphragms are so obvious from the preceding explanations thereof that further elaboration herein is deemed unnecessary. It is, however, to be borne in mind that various changes may be made, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, without departing from or sacrificing any of its advantages or fundamental features, hence nothing in this specification shall be construed as limitations upon said invention, its concept or structural embodiment, as to the whole or any part thereof, except as defined in the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In vestibule structure for the adjoining ends of connected cars, the combination with the foot and ceiling plates, of passageway defining diaphragms, each such diaphragm extending vertically and comprising spaced hinged pocket components respectively mounted on said adjoining car ends, a floating component sustained by and partially within both pocket components, mutually coactive anti-rattle and impact silencing means respectively associated with the pocket and floating components, and planarly spaced wipers sustained by said components for sealing coaction with the foot and ceiling plates.

2. In vestibule structure connecting the adjoining ends of railway cars, the combination, with the stationary and slidable foot and ceiling plates, of passageway defining diaphragms, each such diaphragm extending vertically and comprising spaced hinged pocket components respectively mounted on said adjoining car ends, a floating component sustained by and partially within both components, mutually coactive antirattle and impact silencing means respectively carried by the pocket and floating components, and planary related flexible wipers also sustained by the pocket and floating components for sealing coaction with the stationary and slidable foot and ceiling plates aforesaid.

3. In vestibule structure connectingthe adjoining ends of railway cars, the combination, with the stationary and s'lidable foot and ceiling plates, of passageway defining metallic diaphragms, each such diaphragm extending vertically and comprising planarly-rigid verticallyhinged spaced pocket components respectively mounted on said adjoining car ends, a rigid floating plate-component sustained by and partially within both components, said components having substantial side overlap at all times, mutually coactive anti-rattle and impact silencing means respectively carried by the pocket and floating components, and planarly related flexible wipers also sustained by the pocket and floating components for combined sealing coaction with the stationary and slidable foot and ceiling plates aforesaid.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein each pocket component comprises a stationary hinge member with spaced alignedly apertured supporting sections and means for its rigid attachment to a car end vestibule post, a pocket memberof U-shaped cross-section with relatively indented loop portions for engagement between the being of U-shaped cross-section with a unitary and rigidly attached pocket-defining insert, said insert including parallel vertical and an inner connecting wall with a lower laterally projecting support, and anti-rattle means attached to the vertical free edges of insert parallel walls.

6. The combination of claim 3 wherein the anti-rattle means comprise channel-section members having the flange edges angled confrontingly-inwards with an attaching flange proiecting longitudinally from one side of said channel section member, a felt insert in the channelsection member having grooves for engagement by the flange angled edges, and said insert has the exposed face transversely convexed.

'7. The combination of claim 3 wherein each hinged pocket component is provided across the upper and lower portions with planarly projecting sheet rubber wipers, said wipers being attached thereto by aid of integrally united reinforcing bars with associated clamping straps and mutually engaged securing means.

8. The combination of claim 3 wherein the floating plate component consists of metal-ply material with an izterfltted angle-section along the lower part to define a projecting bearer-support therefor, impact resisting felt members lap the vertical side edges of said plate, and spacer blocks are attached atdefinite points to both faces of the floating plate and also serve as move ment limiting stops therefor.

9. The combination of claim 3 wherein the floating plate is provided across the upper and lower portions with planarly projecting sheet rubber wipers, said wipers being attached thereto by integrally united reinforcing bars with associated clamping straps and mutually engaged.

securing means, one of said straps having its 

